Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 18

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: A Spectacularly Messy Life

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"......My life is one hell of a spectacle."

Possessed and immediately orphaned, adopted into a yakuza family, life-threatening situations, a burn accident.

"Now even kidnapped."

Yi-hae Baek let out a hollow chuckle to herself as she took in the situation the moment she opened her eyes.

Why were all these episodes that should happen to the female lead keep happening to her?

But no one was around to kindly answer her questions.

Right now, Yi-hae Baek wasn't tied up. She wasn't stuffed in a car trunk either. She was simply sitting in the back seat of an ordinary sedan.

"That's unexpected. I figured you'd scream or cry as soon as you came to."

Instead, sitting on either side of her were I-ryeong Cha and Yeong Baek.

Yeong Baek had his legs crossed, staring out the window, while it was I-ryeong Cha who had spoken to her.

She still had that innocently pretty face that made it hard to believe she was the action captain of a rival faction.

"Rival faction? Where were they from again?"

Yi-hae Baek frowned. Something was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't recall it.

"Crying won't change the situation anyway."

I-ryeong Cha looked surprised at the flat tone, resigned as if she'd given up entirely despite her furrowed brow.

And well she might. Last time, the moment she'd seen Yi-hae Baek's face, she'd shrieked Do-gyeom Seo's name and bolted in a panic.

No matter what she thought, Yi-hae Baek sighed.

"Am I an idiot?"

She'd assumed the person she'd met at the hospital was just a normal civilian and tried to get close. Had that been such a fatal mistake?

Stroking her unbound wrists in a daze, she asked I-ryeong Cha,

"Don't people usually tie up hands and feet when they kidnap someone?"

"No need. Try running if you want. Just don't expect me to guarantee what happens after."

It was the confidence of an action captain. Yi-hae Baek, who had briefly considered bolting, scrapped all her plans.

She hunched her shoulders and tried to act as meekly as possible. I-ryeong Cha chuckled.

"You're kinda cute, you know. Look cute and dumb, but sharp too."

"If I were sharp, I wouldn't be in this mess."

"Fair point. But it's not your fault—we're the ones in the wrong."

"......Sorry, but that sounded way too normal. Almost感動ed me."

Spewing insincere words, Yi-hae Baek racked her brains furiously. They were letting their guard down.

But they could afford to, with skills like theirs. Yi-hae Baek was just an ordinary high school girl who didn't know self-defense or sports.

"If they're a rival faction, they must have a ton of members. If Uncle comes to rescue me there, it'll blow up big—lots of casualties."

Yakuza wouldn't just fistfight; people could die.

Would I-heum Seo really come for her knowing that? Even though they'd gotten closer lately, she could firmly say no.

From what she'd observed, I-heum Seo prioritized results over sentiment.

"Even as Do-gyeom Seo's fiancée, there's no gain in rescuing me. I'm expendable."

Yi-hae Baek closed her eyes and leaned back. I-ryeong Cha asked if she was sleeping, but she didn't respond.

"I can't rely on anyone. I have to escape alone."

To survive, she couldn't entrust her life to others. Yi-hae Baek had never been precious to anyone.

So waiting and trusting someone in a situation like this was unimaginable.

"What, suddenly gone quiet?"

Bored with Yi-hae Baek's silence, I-ryeong Cha prodded her.

"You're something else. Living off that family, figuring out I was a spy—you should've been more wary."

"I know. I'm an idiot too. You were a good actress, but yeah, I was dumb."

Yeong Baek twitched at being called "the person here," but Yi-had Baek ignored it, speaking calmly and expressionlessly.

"I didn't realize trusting people could be this dangerous. Thanks for the lesson."

"So naive, Yi-hae."

"Thanks for the shitty compliment."

"You talk pretty too. Thought you were just a scaredy-cat, but you've got guts. I like girls like you. Fun to watch."

Whatever.

Deeming further talk pointless, Yi-hae Baek clamped her mouth shut again. She just wished they'd stop talking to her.

She gazed out the window. Yeong Baek's gaze flicked her way, but she ignored it and softly gasped at the sea outside.

"Ah......"

She never imagined she'd see the sea she'd wanted to visit like this.

"Are we heading to the sea, by any chance?"

"Something like that. There's a remote spot—we're inviting you there."

Yi-hae Baek nodded at I-ryeong Cha's words. Then I-ryeong Cha held something out.

It was Yi-hae Baek's phone.

"Call him."

"......You guys probably have Uncle's number anyway, even if I don't call."

"We do. But it's better if he hears your voice directly."

"What if I tell him the location?"

"Go ahead. Your phone's probably tracked anyway, and you want us to come find you."

What weirdos. And scary ones.

They even kindly dialed "Handsome Uncle" for her.

After a few rings, the call connected.

- Yi-hae. You aren't hurt?

A question came as if he'd been waiting, like he already knew everything.

Yi-hae Baek nearly choked up, her voice almost trembling, but she answered as calmly as possible.

"Yeah, I'm totally fine. Not even tied up, so no discomfort."

- Good. Might be scary, but hang on a bit. We're on our way.

Was that true or a lie?

I-ryeong Cha snickered at I-heum Seo's words. Mocking his worry didn't sit well.

Should she tell him not to come? But she had no other hope.

Should she beg for rescue? Who were they to her? Not family, just a guest.

"......"

Hesitating, Yi-hae Baek worked her lips a few times before sealing them. Then, as if resolved, she spoke slowly.

"I wanted to go to the sea with Uncle, but oh well. I even bought a swimsuit I liked."

- We'll go. If you want to.

"It's fine. Sea's nothing special. Go later with Do-gyeom and the family. I take back wanting you to take me."

Her roundabout way of saying, "Don't come rescue me." Not sure if he'd get it.

After a brief silence, I-heum Seo's voice returned.

- Yi-hae, are you good at swimming?

"Huh? Uh, yeah. Not bad."

Why ask that? Blinking in confusion, I-heum Seo replied.

- Then you'll have to stay longer. The three of us can't swim, so we need you for safety.

Ridiculous.

Yi-hae Baek clamped her mouth shut. She realized that was his answer.

"He's rejecting my 'don't come' and saying he'll come anyway."

- Let me talk to him, please.

Her nose prickled annoyingly as a familiar voice came. Do-gyeom Seo must be with I-heum Seo; he took the phone.

- Baek Yi-hae.

Pretending to be sweet, even though he wasn't. He'd checked on her first after the burn, shown plenty of fake concern.

With him, at least, she had no doubt he'd come rescue her without worry.

- You're in for it when I see you.

"......Huh?"

So she was even more flustered.

Telling a kidnapping victim to prepare for a scolding instead of reassuring her!

Absurd—she gaped speechlessly as Do-gyeom Seo continued.

- Gonna train you so you don't wag your tail at weirdos anymore.

"What?"

No, I'm not a guard dog, seriously.

Of course, saying that aloud might get denied by both Do-gyeom and I-heum Seo.

- So don't run and wait.

The call ended there.

"......"

"......What'd you do to that guy?"

Yi-hae Baek clamped her mouth at I-ryeong Cha's question. She felt Yeong Baek's incredulous stare too, but had nothing to say.

"Even if I wanted to run, I couldn't......"

Why did she suddenly feel like fleeing like mad?

For the first time, Yi-hae Baek made a tearful face.